Handlebar mount assembly

ABSTRACT

A handlebar mount assembly for isolating a cycle handlebar from vibrations emanating from operation of a cycle, the assembly including a bottom bracket assembly configured for attachment to a cycle steering mechanism, a top bracket assembly configured for attachment to the bottom bracket assembly, a pair of polymer sleeves configured for placement around the handlebar, a tension clamp configured for clamping the handlebar and a clamp bushing configured for placement between the tension clamp and the top bracket assembly. The sleeves prevent direct contact between the top bracket assembly and the bottom bracket assembly, and the bushing prevents direct contact between the tension clamp and the top bracket assembly. In this manner, the handlebar mount assembly prevents direct and indirect contact of the steering mechanism to the handlebar through the metal components of the handlebar mount assembly.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/224,408, filed on Jul.29, 2016, and titled “Handlebar Mount Assembly,” which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/295,595, filed on Feb. 16, 2016,and titled, “Handlebar Mount,” the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an assembly for attaching a handlebarto the steering mechanism of a cycle, and more particularly, to ahandlebar mount for damping the transmission of vibrations from a cyclesteering mechanism to a cycle handlebar.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Devices for reducing the transmission of vibrations from a cycle throughthe cycle's handlebars to a rider are known in the art. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,214 discloses a shock and vibration damping mountingassembly for vehicles that utilizes handlebar assisted steering, wherethe handlebar and its clamping components are suspended by shock andvibration damping springs and materials. The suspended components areallowed to travel along a guide, in a predetermined path, whilemaintaining the rider preferred handlebar angles, as the vehicleencounters shock due to rough terrain. Springs damp the motion of thesuspended components reducing the effects of the rough terrain to therider's hands. The suspended components are isolated from the vehicle'ssteering mechanism by isolation components made of deadening materialsthus reducing the transfer of vibration from the vehicle to the rider'shands.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,728 discloses a bicycle handlebar grip including abody having at least two grip areas positioned for interaction with thehands of a rider. The grip portions or grip areas are spaced apart by acenter portion that secures the assembly to a bicycle steerer tube. Achannel or detent is formed in the body proximate at least one, andpreferably proximate each grip portion or grip area. A dampener formedof a different material than the body is disposed in the detent anddissipates at least a portion of vibration of the body to reducevibrations communicated to the hands of the rider from handlebarvibration.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,756,766 discloses a vibration dampening handle for apowered apparatus including an elongated gripping member having firstand second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending through thefirst and second ends, and a wall defining an inner bore and having aninner surface. The inner bore extending along the longitudinal axis atleast partially through the gripping member, and opens on at least thefirst end of the gripping member. A weighted mass is disposed at thesecond free cantilevered end of the gripping member. An elongate elasticbeam member is attached to the gripping member. A portion of the beammember is disposed within the inner bore and is spaced apart from theinner surface. The beam member further includes a first end that extendsbeyond the first end of the gripping member and includes a fasteningmember adapted to connect the handle to the powered apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The handlebar mount assembly of the present invention allows thehandlebars of cycles such as motorcycles, dirt bikes, street bikes,bicycles, mountain bikes, road bikes, ATV's and the like to float withina polymer sleeve of varying thickness and stiffness to mitigate oreliminate the transmission of vibrations, which are common with thesecycles, to a rider through the handlebars. The handlebar mount assemblyalso allows the handlebars to respond accordingly with the stiffness andthickness of the polymer sleeve to imperfections in the road or trailsurface, e.g., rough ground. By wrapping the handlebars with the polymersleeve, a suspension effect is created for the handlebars, effectivelyproducing a smoother riding experience for the operator than possiblewith current cycles. The use of a pinch or tension clamp on the bars, byrunning the upper shafts of the pinch clamp through the upper handlebarclamp and the sliding the clamp bushing down through the upper handlebarclamp before tightening the pinch bolts, effectively holds the handlebarin the desired position but also prevents any metal-to-metal contactbetween the handlebar and the rest of the motorcycle. This creates asoft medium between the rider/operator and the cycle, making for a morepleasant ride.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a cyclehandlebar mount including a top bracket assembly, a bottom bracketassembly and a cycle handlebar about which an elastomeric first sleeve,an elastomeric second sleeve and a tension clamp assembly are disposed,the cycle handlebar being operatively coupled between the top bracketassembly and the bottom bracket assembly. An elastomeric bushing islocated between the tension clamp and the top bracket assembly to allowfor indirect engagement of the tension clamp with the top bracketassembly. Arranged in this manner, the first sleeve and the secondsleeve are compressed between the top bracket assembly and the bottombracket assembly, the bushing is compressed between the tension clampassembly and the top bracket assembly and the cycle handlebar and thetension clamp assembly remain spaced apart from the top bracket assemblyand the bottom bracket assembly.

In one embodiment, the tension clamp assembly includes a top clampportion, a bottom clamp portion and one or more clamp fasteners couplingthe top clamp portion to the bottom clamp portion, at least one of theone or more clamp fasteners having a head portion extending within avoid defined by a periphery of an opening extending through an upperwall of the top bracket assembly. According to this embodiment, thebushing is disposed and compressed between the head portion and theperiphery of the opening.

In another embodiment, the tension clamp assembly includes a top clampportion, a bottom clamp portion and an integral, vertically extendingclamp arm extending from a top surface of the top clamp portion into avoid defined at least in part by an indentation or depression within aninner surface of a top wall of the top bracket assembly. According tothis embodiment, the bushing is disposed about the clamp arm and betweenthe clamp arm and the inner surface of the top wall.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof installing a cycle handlebar to a cycle steering mechanism. Themethod includes attaching a bottom bracket to the cycle steeringmechanism, disposing an elastomeric first sleeve and an elastomericsecond sleeve about the cycle handlebar and clamping a tension clampassembly about the cycle handlebar and between the first sleeve and thesecond sleeve. The handlebar is then placed in the bottom bracket withthe first sleeve and the second sleeve being in contact with the bottombracket and the cycle handlebar and the tension clamp assembly beingspaced apart from the bottom bracket. A top bracket is coupled to thebottom bracket with the first sleeve and the second sleeve beingcompressed between the bottom bracket and the top bracket and the cyclehandlebar and the tension clamp assembly being spaced apart from the topbracket. To allow interaction of the tension clamp with the top bracketassembly, a bushing is placed between the tension clamp assembly and thetop bracket.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided acycle handlebar mounting kit including a i) tension clamp including atop clamp portion and a bottom clamp portion, the top clamp portion andthe bottom clamp portion being configured for receiving and clamping acycle handlebar therebetween, ii) a first bottom bracket including abase portion, a substantially U-shaped portion having a front flangeportion and rear flange portion and a central opening extending throughthe base portion and the substantially U-shaped portion, the firstbottom bracket being configured for attachment to a motorcycle steeringmechanism, iii) a top bracket having a substantially U-shaped portion, arear flange portion, a front first flange portion, a front second flangeportion and an open front slot located between the first and secondflange portion, iv) an elastomeric first sleeve configured for disposalaround a cycle handlebar, v) an elastomeric second sleeve configured fordisposal around the cycle handlebar, and vi) a bushing.

In one embodiment of the kit, the kit further includes one or more clampfasteners configured for coupling the top clamp portion to the bottomclamp portion, at least one of the one or more clamp fasteners having ahead portion configured for extending within a void defined by aperiphery of an opening extending through an upper wall of the topbracket. In this embodiment, the bushing is configured for placementabout the head portion and between the head portion and the upper wall.

In another embodiment of the kit, the top clamp portion includes anintegral, vertically extending clamp arm configured for extending from atop surface of the top clamp portion into a void defined at least inpart by an upper wall of the top bracket assembly. In this embodiment,the bushing is configured for placement about the clamp arm and betweenthe clamp arm and the upper wall, specifically, the sidewalls of theupper wall defining the void.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a handlebar mount in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handlebar sleeve of the handlebarmount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a side of a tension clamp of thehandlebar mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an end of the tension clamp of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inner surface of an upper portion of thetension clamp of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp bushing of the handlebar mountof FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a side of a bottom bracket of thehandlebar mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a top bracket of the handlebar mount ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a side of the top bracket of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG.1.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a handlebar mount in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is rear perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a top clamp member of a hingedclamp of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the top clamp member of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a bottom clamp member of thehinged clamp of the handlebar mount of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the bottom clamp member of FIG.19.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a side of the top clamp member of FIG.17.

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of a side of the bottom clamp member ofFIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the top clamp member of FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a bottom bracket of the handlebar mountof FIG. 15.

FIG. 25 is an elevational view of a side of the bottom bracket of FIG.24.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the bottom bracket of FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a top bracket of the handlebarmount of FIG. 15

FIG. 29 is an elevational view of a side of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the top bracket of FIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the handlebar mount of FIG.15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 14 depict a cycle handlebar mount 10 in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 15 through 32 depicta cycle handlebar mount 100 in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention. Mounts 10 and 100 are utilized to couple ahandlebar 11 to a motorcycle steering mechanism 13 while damping thetransmission of vibrations from the cycle steering mechanism to thecycle handlebar. Before the present articles, devices, and/or methodsare disclosed and described in detail, it is to be understood that theyare not limited to specific methods unless otherwise specified, and assuch may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology as usedherein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsand is not intended to be limiting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, mount 10 generally includes bottombrackets 12, a top bracket 14, a pair of sleeves 16, a tension clamp 18and a clamp bushing 20. Referring to FIG. 3, each of sleeves 16 forms acylinder and is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer. Suitablepolymers from which sleeves 16 can be fabricated include asphaltics,polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, naturalrubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber. Sleeves 16 areconfigured for wrapping directly around handlebar 11. The hardness ofthe sleeves and clamp bushing may vary depending on the desiredstiffness of the coupling of the handlebar to the cycle.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, tension clamp 18 includes an upperportion 36 having an inner, half-cylinder surface 37 and a lower portion38 having an inner, half cylinder surface 39. Each of upper portion 36and lower portion 38 has opposing wing portions 40 with two adjacent,threaded bolts holes 41 for receiving threaded bolts. Portions 36, 38are configured for receiving and clamping handlebar 11 within respectiveinner, half-cylinder surfaces 37, 39. By clamping it is meant thatportions 36 and 38 hold or secure the handlebar tightly therebetween toprevent movement of the handlebar through the application of inwardpressure against the handlebar, which is selectively increased ordecreased by tightening or loosening the bolts, as required.

Referring to FIG. 7, clamp bushing 20 includes an elongate polymermember, with rounded corners, having pair of adjacent openings 42therethrough. Openings 42 are configured for receiving and completelysurrounding the heads of the pair of bolts used to clamp tension clamp18 to handlebar 11. Clamp bushing 20 is fabricated from an elastomericpolymer. Suitable polymers from which clamp bushing 20 can be fabricatedinclude asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers,acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and siliconerubber.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, each of bottom brackets 12 has asubstantially Y-shaped cross-section, a half-cylinder, inner surface 44,a stem portion 46, a bolt hole 48 extending through stem portion 46 andthrough inner surface 44, and opposing arms 50 through which a pair ofadjacent bolt holes 52 extend. A bolt head space 54 is provided withinbolt hole 48 for entirely receiving the head of a bolt. Stem portion 46and bolt hole 48 are configured for attaching bottom bracket 12 tomotorcycle steering mechanism 13. A pair of bottom brackets 12 isattached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 with a bracket 12 locatedon either side of tension clamp 18.

Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, top bracket 14 includes a front face56, a rear face 58, a top face 59 and a half-cylinder, bottom face 60.Top face 59 has a flat portion 61 extending from rear face 58 and anangled portion 62 which extends downwardly from flat portion 61 towardsfront face 56. Extending from bottom face 60 through a central portionof the flat portion of top face 59 and adjacent to rear face 58 is anelongate opening 64. Adjacent to each end of elongate opening 64 is abolt hole 66 arranged to receive two bolts. Formed within front face 56is an elongate open slot or indentation 68. Located adjacent to each endof indentation 68 is a pair of bolts holes 70. Top bracket 14 isconfigured for attaching to the pair of bottom brackets 12 and therebyclamping handlebar 11 between the bottom brackets and the upper bracket.

Referring to FIG. 14, bottom brackets 12 are attached to motorcyclesteering mechanism 13 by inserting threaded bolts 71 through threadedbolt hole 48 of each bottom bracket 12 and complementary bolts holes 72in steering mechanism 13. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 14, tension clamp 18is attached to a center of handlebar 11 by placing the handle barbetween the inner, half-cylinder surfaces 37, 39 of upper and lowerportions 36, 38, aligning the threaded bolt holes of the wing portions40 of the upper portion 36 with the lower portion 38 and threading bolts73 through passageways 41. With tension clamp 18 in place, each end ofhandlebar 11 is inserted through a sleeve 16, and each sleeve 16 is slidalong handlebar 11 until resting adjacent to tension clamp 18.

With sleeves 16 and tension clamp 18 securely attached to handlebar 11,handlebar 11 is placed over steering mechanism 13 and sleeves 16 alignedwith bottom brackets 12. Handlebar 11 is then lowered so that sleeves 16are received within the inner surfaces 44 of bottom brackets 12.

With handlebar 11 seated within bottom brackets 12, top bracket 14 ispositioned over handle bar 11 and bottom brackets 12 and threaded bolts75 are inserted through bolt holes 66 and 70. The threaded bolts 75 arealigned with complimentary threaded bolt holes 52 in bottom bracket 12,elongate opening 64 is aligned with one of the pair of adjacent boltheads of the bolts 73 used to attach the upper and lower portions 36, 38of tension clamp 18 and indentation 86 is aligned with the other pair ofadjacent bolt heads of the bolts 73 used to attach the upper and lowerportions 36, 38 of tension clamp 18. With the foregoing portionsaligned, top bracket 14 is lowered with sleeves 16 being sandwichedbetween the inner half-cylinder surfaces 44 of the bottom brackets 12and half cylinder surface 60 of the top bracket 14. With handlebar 11secured between top bracket 14 and bottom bracket 12, clamp bushing 20is positioned above elongate opening 64 with openings 42 aligned withthe bolts heads of bolts 73 located within elongate opening 64. Clampbushing 20 is then lowered and placed over the bolt heads so that thebolts heads are located within opening 42 of clamp bushing 20. Clampbushing is used to prevent direct contact of the bolt heads to topbracket 14, while allowing indirect interaction between the bolt headsand tension clamp 18 with top bracket 14.

Mount 10, assembled as described above, serves to isolate handlebar 11from steering mechanism 13 by preventing a completely rigid coupling ofhandlebar 11 to the steering mechanism. Instead, rigid couplings arereplaced with flexible coupling by virtue of sleeves 16 and clampbushing 20. Sleeves 16 prevent direct contact between the top bracketand the bottom bracket\, and the bushing prevents direct contact betweenthe tension clamp and the top bracket. In this manner, the handlebarmount assembly prevents direct and indirect contact of the steeringmechanism to the handlebar through the metal components of the handlebarmount assembly.

FIGS. 15 through 32 depict cycle handlebar mount 100. As illustrated inFIGS. 15, 16 and 32, mount 100 generally includes a one-piece bottombracket 112, a top bracket 114, a pair of sleeves 116, a hinged tensionclamp 118 and a clamp bushing 120. Each of sleeves 116 forms a cylinderand is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer such as asphaltics,polyurethanes, poly(vinyl acetate) and copolymers, acrylics, naturalrubber and styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber. Sleeves 116 areconfigured for wrapping directly around handlebar 11.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 22, hinged tension clamp 118 includes anupper portion 136 having an inner, half-cylinder surface 137 and a lowerportion 138 having an inner, half cylinder surface 137. Each of upperportion 136 and lower portion 138 has a wing portion 140 having twoadjacent, threaded bolts holes 141 for receiving threaded bolts.Opposite each wing portion 140 is a hinge mechanism for hingedlycoupling upper portion 136 with lower portion 138. In particular, upperportion 136 includes a pair of spaced-apart cylinders 139 having alignedpassageways 141. The space between cylinders 139 is configured toreceive a pivot member 143 of lower portion 138 having a passageway 145therethrough that aligns with passageways 141. A pin 147 is insertedthrough passageways 141 and passageway 145 thereby hingedly couplingupper and lower portions 136, 138. Protruding upwardly from a centralportion of the top surface of the upper portion 136 is a clamp arm 149.Portions 136, 138 are configured for receiving and clamping handlebar 11within the respective inner, half-cylinder surfaces 137.

Referring to FIG. 32, clamp bushing 120 includes an elongate polymermember, with rounded corners, having an opening 142 therethrough.Opening 142 is configured for receiving and completely surrounding clamparm 149 of clamp tension clamp 118 to handlebar 11. Clamp bushing 120 isfabricated from a polymer such asphaltics, polyurethanes, poly(vinylacetate) and copolymers, acrylics, natural rubber and styrene-butadienerubber and silicone rubber.

Referring to FIGS. 24 through 27, bottom bracket 112 includes a pair ofbracket members 113 connected by a bridge member 115, each of membershaving a substantially Y-shaped cross-section, a half-cylinder, innersurface 144, a stem portion 146, a bolt hole 148 extending through stemportion 146 and through inner surface 144, and opposing arms 150 throughwhich a pair of adjacent bolt holes 152 extend. A bolt head space 154 isprovided within bolt hole 148 for receiving the head of a bolt. Stemportion 146 and bolt hole 148 are configured for attaching bottombracket 112 to motorcycle steering mechanism 13. A bracket member 113 ofbottom brackets 112 is attached to motorcycle steering mechanism 13 oneither side of hinged tension clamp 118.

Referring to FIGS. 28 through 31, top bracket 114 includes a front face156, a rear face 158, a top face 159 and a half-cylinder, bottom face160. Top face 159 has an uppermost flat portion 161 from which curvedsurfaces 162 and 163 extend toward front face 156 and rear face 158,respectively. Curved surface 163 terminates in an elongate footing 157having two pairs of bolt holes 165 located at opposing ends of footing157. Formed within bottom face 160 is an elongate indention 164. Formedwithin front face 156 is a rectangular-shaped, elongate indentation 168.Located adjacent to each end of indentation 168 is a pair of bolts holes170. Top bracket 114 is configured for attaching to bottom bracket 112and thereby clamping handlebar 11 between the bottom bracket and theupper bracket.

Referring to FIG. 32, bottom bracket 112 is attached to motorcyclesteering mechanism 13 by inserting threaded bolts 171 through threadedbolt hole 148 of bottom bracket and complementary bolts holes 172 in thesteering mechanism. Extension sleeves 175 can be used if it is desiredto increase the distance between handlebar 11 and steering mechanism 13.Referring to FIGS. 15 and 31, tension clamp 118 is attached to a centerof handlebar 11 by hingedly coupling upper and lower portions 136, 136together by aligning passageways 141 with passageway 145 and insertingpin 147 therethrough. Thereafter, the handle bar is placed between theinner, half-cylinder surfaces 137 of upper and lower portions 136, 138,the threaded bolt holes of the wing portions 140 of the upper portion136 are aligned with the lower portion 138 and bolts 173 are threadedthrough passageways 41. With tension clamp 18 in place, each end ofhandlebar 11 is inserted through a sleeve 116, and each sleeve 116 isslid along handlebar 11 until resting adjacent to tension clamp 118.

With sleeves 116 and tension clamp 118 securely attached to handlebar11, handlebar 11 is placed over steering mechanism 13 and sleeves 116aligned with respective bracket members 113 of bottom brackets 112.Handlebar 11 is then lowered so that a sleeve 116 is received within theinner surface 144 of each bracket member 113 of bottom brackets 112.

With handlebar 11 seated within bottom bracket 112, bushing 120 isplaced about clamp arm 149 and top bracket 114 is positioned over handlebar 11 and bottom bracket 112 and threaded bolts 175 are insertedthrough bolt holes 165 and 170. The threaded bolts 175 are aligned withcomplimentary threaded bolt holes 152 in bottom bracket 112, elongateindentation 164 is aligned with bushing 120 and clamp arm 149 of tensionclamp 118 and indentation 186 is aligned with the bolt heads of thebolts 173 used to attach the upper and lower portions 136, 138 oftension clamp 118. With the foregoing portions aligned, top bracket 114is lowered with sleeves 116 being sandwiched between the innerhalf-cylinder surfaces 144 of the bottom brackets 112 and half cylindersurface 160 of the top bracket 114. With top and bottom brackets 114,112 fully engaged, clamp arm 149, including the upper end thereof, isspaced apart from top bracket 114 so that a space is formedtherebetween. Clamp bushing 120 is located within the space andcompressed by and between clamp arm 149 with the sidewalls top bracket144 which define indentation 186.

Mount 100, assembled as described above, serves to isolate handlebar 11from steering mechanism 13 by preventing a completely rigid coupling ofhandlebar 11 to the steering mechanism. Instead, rigid couplings arereplaced with flexible coupling by virtue of sleeves 116 and clampbushing 120.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cycle handlebar mount comprising: anelastomeric first sleeve and an elastomeric second sleeve operativelycoupled to a cycle handlebar, a bracket assembly operatively coupled tothe first sleeve and the second sleeve and spaced apart from the cyclehandlebar, a tension clamp assembly coupled to the cycle handlebar,between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and spaced apart fromthe bracket assembly, and a bushing compressed between the tension clampassembly and the bracket assembly, wherein the bushing is disposedaround a clamp arm extending from the tension clamp assembly into a voidthat is formed within an inner surface of the bracket assembly.
 2. Thecycle handlebar mount of claim 1 wherein the first sleeve and the secondsleeve are compressed between a top bracket portion of the bracketassembly and a bottom bracket portion of the bracket assembly.
 3. Thecycle handlebar mount of claim 2 wherein the bottom bracket portionincludes two separate, spaced apart bracket pieces.
 4. A cycle handlebarmount comprising: an elastomeric first sleeve and an elastomeric secondsleeve operatively coupled to a cycle handlebar, a bracket assemblyoperatively coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve and spacedapart from the cycle handlebar, a tension clamp assembly coupled to thecycle handlebar, between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, andspaced apart from the bracket assembly, and a bushing compressed betweenthe tension clamp assembly and the bracket assembly, wherein the tensionclamp assembly includes one or more clamp fasteners for coupling theclamp assembly to the cycle handlebar, at least one of the one or moreclamp fasteners having a head portion extending within a void defined bythe bracket assembly, and wherein the bushing is disposed between thehead portion and the bracket assembly.
 5. A method of installing a cyclehandlebar to a cycle steering mechanism comprising: coupling anelastomeric first sleeve and an elastomeric second sleeve to the cyclehandlebar, coupling a bracket assembly to the first sleeve, the secondsleeve and the cycle steering mechanism, wherein the bracket assembly isspaced apart from the cycle handlebar, coupling a tension clamp assemblyto the cycle handlebar and between the first sleeve and the secondsleeve, wherein the tension clamp assembly is spaced apart from thebracket assembly, placing a bushing around a tension clamp assemblyfastener which extends into a void defined at least in part by a topbracket portion of the bracket assembly so that the bushing extends toand between the fastener and the top bracket portion, and compressingthe bushing between the bracket assembly and the tension clamp assembly.6. A cycle handlebar mounting kit comprising: an elastomeric firstsleeve configured for disposal around a cycle handlebar, a bracketassembly configured for being coupled to and between the first sleeveand a cycle steering mechanism, a tension clamp assembly configured forreceiving and clamping onto the cycle handlebar, and a bushing, whereinthe bracket assembly and the tension clamp assembly are configured forcompressing the bushing there between without directly contacting oneanother.
 7. The kit of claim 6 wherein the bracket assembly includes afirst bottom bracket including a first base portion, a firstsubstantially U-shaped portion and a first opening extending through thefirst base portion and the first substantially U-shaped portion.
 8. Thekit of claim 7 wherein the bracket assembly includes a second bottombracket including a second base portion, a second substantially U-shapedportion and a second opening extending through the second base portionand the second substantially U-shaped portion.
 9. The kit of claim 6wherein the bracket assembly includes a top bracket having asubstantially U-shaped portion.
 10. The kit of claim 6 including one ormore clamp fasteners configured for coupling the tension clamp assemblyto the cycle handlebar, at least one of the one or more clamp fastenershaving a head portion configured for extending within a void defined bythe bracket assembly, wherein the bushing is configured for placementaround the head portion and between the bracket assembly and the headportion.
 11. The kit of claim 6 wherein the tension clamp assemblyincludes a clamp arm configured for extending within a void defined atleast in part by the bracket assembly and wherein the bushing isconfigured for placement around the clamp arm and between the clamp armand the bracket assembly.
 12. The kit of claim 6 including anelastomeric second sleeve configured for disposal around the cyclehandlebar, wherein the bracket assembly is configured for being coupledto and between the second sleeve and the cycle steering mechanism. 13.The kit of claim of claim 6 including first fasteners configured forcoupling the bracket assembly to the first sleeve, second fastenersconfigured for clamping the tension clamp onto the cycle handlebar andthird fasteners configured for coupling the bracket assembly to thecycle steering mechanism.